James Davis Biography - Mecosta County, MI.

Copyright © 2002 by Jan Cortez. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

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1883 Mecosta County Portrait and Bio Album, Chapman Brothers

James Davis, farmer, on sec. 29, Austin Tp., was born in Wales, July 9, 1816. 
He is a son of Thomas and Ann (Howell) Davis, also born in Wales, where they 
lived and died.  
 
At the age of 16 Mr. Davis went to work as a farm labourer, and in the fall 
of 1840 was married to Martha, daughter of William and Maryett (Rogers) 
Harries. Mr. Davis and his wife at once settled on a farm, where they lived 
and laboured until their removal to this country, in the fall of 1857, when 
they went to Quebec, Canada, thence to Newaygo Co., Mich., residing there 
two years.  
 
In the fall of 1859 the settled on the 40 acres, now their homestead, which 
they purchased in the earliest days of the township, of which they were 
among the pioneers.  
 
Mr. & Mrs. Davis have had seven children: Anna E., born Aug. 1, 1838; Edward 
R., July 7, 1842; William H., Jan. 28, 1844; David D., born Oct. 28, 1846, died 
in February, 1851; Thomas, born April 11, 1848, died in February, 1851; 
(these children died of scarlet fever) Margaret, born March 12, 1850, died 
in March 1854; M. Ellinor, born Aug. 24, 1854, died June 30, 1882.  
 
The family attend the Congregational Church. Mr. Davis is liberal in his 
political views, and in his actions is independent of party issues.